Just Ask Terry

I was recently diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).

Dear Terry, “I was recently diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). My neurologist has opted not to put me on any medications as I have only had one exacerbation so far. Are there any supplements that might be beneficial?” — Anita B., Jackson, MS

Dear Anita, I think diet is an extremely powerful tool when it comes to health, so the best recommendation I can give anyone with MS is to adopt and follow the ketogenic diet as closely as they possibly can. To learn more of the benefits of this diet go to www.ketogenic-diet-resource.com and www.drperlmutter.com. Dr. Perlmutter is also a neurologist and treats holistically.

In addition to modifying your diet, there are some natural ingredients that you may want to consider.

I believe you would benefit greatly by adding a strong, absorbable curcumin to your daily regimen. I recommend taking 750 mg of high absorption curcumin twice daily. Keep in mind that standard curcumin is very poorly absorbed, so make sure the product you choose features a curcumin with excellent absorption that has been proven in published human studies. The best form I have ever found uses curcumin blended with turmeric essential oils. This curcumin has been shown in published human studies to be better absorbed than plain curcumin.

Glutathione is one of the most important compounds in your body. It is so crucial that your body makes its own, creating it from the amino acids glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid. It is required for cellular defense, detoxification, and fighting the DNA-damaging risks of oxidative stress. Ideally, our cells would be full of active glutathione. But that’s not always the case. Just when we need it the most, glutathione levels can drop. This is due to age, health challenges, environmental factors, genetics, or a combination of factors. Therefore, I recommend taking 150 mg of the reduced, active form of L-glutathione twice daily in order to support optimal glutathione levels.

I also strongly recommend supplementing with vitamin D because it plays such a crucial role in multiple health issues. There are two forms of vitamin D used in supplements. Vitamin D2 is the form of vitamin D synthesized by plants. It is also known as ergocalciferol. Cholecalciferol, or vitamin D3, is the form that is produced by the human body. Both D2 and D3 can increase circulating vitamin D levels, although many people prefer to use the D3 form as it is closer to what is already found in the body. I recommend taking 5,000 IUs of Vitamin D3 daily.